East Lyme — Hundreds of cyclists are expected to ride Saturday, Oct. 1, from Rocky Neck State Park to the north end of town and beyond, viewing farms, fields and historical sites along their routes.

Cyclists in the first Bike & BBQ event will travel on one of five routes — from a 9-mile path that stops at the Samuel Smith House, the Smith-Harris House and the Thomas Lee House, to a 100-mile path that goes as far as Windham.

The event is intended to raise awareness and funds for open space and the three historical houses, and provide an opportunity for people to have fun and exercise outdoors.

"It's about realizing the importance of open space and the value of protecting historic homes, but mostly it's about having a good time, a good day and a good ride," said Mark Christensen, one of the event's organizers. 

Cyclists can choose from a "family friendly" 9-mile bike ride, and 26-mile, 62-mile, 85-mile and 100-mile bike routes, according to the event website, bikeandbbq.com.

The Samuel Smith House, Smith-Harris House and Thomas Lee House will be open to everyone from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day and feature different activities, such as music by 5 Bean Row at the Thomas Lee House and presentations by violin- and viola-maker Tom Clark and woodworker Thomas Hall at the Samuel Smith House, he said.

The bike ride will culminate in music and a barbecue prepared by Mago Point Smokehouse at Rocky Neck State Park.

The Parks and Recreation Department, the East Lyme Historical Society, Friends of the Samuel Smith House, the Friends of the Smith-Harris House and the East Lyme Land Trust are collaborating on the event.

Christensen said groups involved in preservation in town, from open space to historical homes, had been gathering together for several years during a Potluck Party for Preservationists held by the East Lyme Agri-Business Committee. 

"We found we had some commonalities, and we thought it might be a good idea to showcase the historical places and open spaces and the farms and get people to realize we have some things worth protecting, some things worth saving all along East Lyme," said Christensen, who is vice president of the Friends of the Samuel Smith House and a member of the agri-business committee and other groups.

Mike McDowell, special events coordinator for the Parks & Recreation Department, said the department is excited to showcase Rocky Neck State Park and to provide the recreational opportunity for cyclists to get outside and enjoy southeastern and central Connecticut.

"We're hoping for anywhere from 400 to 500 cyclists — and we're hoping for good weather," McDowell said.

Riders from the Eliminator Cycling Team of East Lyme, in efforts spearheaded by Ken Silvestri and Joe Gaudio, are helping with the logistics of the bike routes and support at rest stops.

Silvestri said that open spaces are vital to cyclists, and it's important to preserve land, particularly in densely populated Connecticut.

Silvestri said that while cycling across the country with team members, he met so many kind-hearted people that paid for a meal or stopped to offer water or food while on the road.

Likewise, as members of the group marked the local bike routes for the upcoming event — a task that took nearly 100 hours — they met many friendly people, he said.

"I think people like to see recreational activities outside," Silvestri said.

Christensen said there are plans to make the Bike & BBQ an annual event.

More information on the event, including registration and start times for the routes, is available at bikeandbbq.com. The event will take place rain or shine.

Registration prior to Sept. 25 costs $65 per rider and registration between Sept. 26 and Oct. 1 costs $75 per rider, according to the website. Teams of at least five people who register together will receive a discount of $5 per rider. 

k.drelich@theday.com